Gas generating apparatus



y 5. E7 PETERS 2,353,926

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS I Filed Jul 17, 1941 Q QMV arm Patented July 18, 1944 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Stanley E. Peters, Chicago, 11!.

Application July 17, 1941, Serial No. 402,803

2 Claims. (01. 261-13) his invention relates to means for generating dry, clean, invisible gas from an atomized fuel.

One object of the invention is to provide im.

proved means which converts an atomized fuel into a dry, clean, invisible gas providing more perfect combustion than the unconverted fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for generating a dry, clean, invisible gas and mixing therewith a supplementary fluid during the passage of the fuel stream to the place of combustion.

A further object of the invention is to provide for generating dry, clean, invisible gas from fuel passing from a carbureter to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and means for supercharging the manifold with the generated gas.

Other objects of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of the present improvements in association with pertinent portions of an internal combustion engine,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken elevation of apparatus embodying the present improvements, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, Ill indicates generally an internal combustion engine and I! a carbureter for supplying an explosive mixture of air and gasoline or other fuel to an intake manifold 12. For the purpose of generating a dry, clean, invisible gas from the fuel stream passing from the carbureter to the manifold, I have shown interposed between the latter two elements a tubular casing l3 within which is positioned a helical member M. The member 14 is tubular, as illustrated, and may be formed of copper or other suitable heat conducting material. As shown in Fig. 1, one end of the helical member M is connected by a tube IS with the exhaust manifold l6 of the engine while the other end of the member l4 may be connected by a tube I1 with the muffler l8. By means of the arrangement mentioned, hot exhaust gases are conducted through the helix M for heating the atomized fuel stream which passes through the casing l3. The helix M has a major diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the casing and thus closely fits against the inner Wall of the casing,

Within the central passage of the helix, and closely fitting the same, is a tubular member I9 which is closed at its forward end [9 and at its rear end extends from the casing l3 and, in the embodiment illustrated, communicates with a receptacle 20. This receptacle may contain any suitable fluid, the vapor of which it is desired to add to the combustible mixture passing through the member l3. For example, the receptacle 20 may be supplied with water whereby when the latter is heated by heat derived from the engine in any suitable manner or otherwise, water vapor may be added to the carbureted fuel stream. Ether 01" other fluids may be employed for assistance in starting the engine or for giving it additional power from time to time as desired.

A valve 2| is shown for controlling the flow of the supplementary vapor fuel or air to the member l9. It will be noted that member I9 is provided with perforations l9 which constitute exits for the supplementary vapor or vapors. The diameter of the portion of the member [9 within the casing 43 as stated corresponds to the internal diameter of the convolutions of the helix, and hence there is provided in the casing a helical path or passage through which the fuel stream must flow in passing through the member l3 from the carbureter to the intake manifold. Since the fuel stream in flowing to the manifold must follow the helical path above mentioned, that is, a path which lies between the convolutions of the member l4 and helically entwines the member l9, a centrifuging action is produced which tends to force the larger liquid fuel particles into contact with the inner wall of the member I3, as well as into contact with the convolutions of the heating coil I4 for effecting the vaporization of such liquid particles.

The heat provided by the member I4 not only completely vaporizes liquid fuel particles but generates from the atomized fuel a dry clean invisible gas that is more completely combustible when it reaches the cylinders of the engine. The generated gas is delivered to the intake manifold in a relatively dry and heated condition, and hence, upon entrance into the cylinders, does not condense readily on the cylinder walls and thus dilute the crank case oil. A more complete combustion of the fuel is obtained with the result that greater power is delivered by the fuel where the present improvements are employed and relative economies in fuel consumption are effected.

In Figure 1 of the drawing I have shown a casing 23 interposed between the casing l3 and the intake manifold l2. In the casing 23 is mounted an electric fan 24 or other impeller which when in operation augments the flow of the fuel stream to the manifold I2. The action of the fan is to supercharge the manifold with the gas fuel thereby rendering the engine more smoothly operable especially at high speeds. The use of the supercharger in conjunction with the gas generator is optional however.

As shown in the drawing, the casing l3 may be formed in two sections for convenience in locating the heating coil l4 and the member I9 within the casing. The casing sections are adapted to be secured together by bolts or screws passing through ears 13 The ends of the heating coil M are shown as passing from the casing l3 through suitable packing glands 22 as is the member l9 also.

While I have shown my preferred means for generating a dry, invisible gas fuel from a a carbureted fuel stream, it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the disclosed structure without departing from the spirit of the in vention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a cylindrical fuel conducting casing, a helical tube for a heating medium located in the casing and contacting the interior wall thereof, a tubular central member located within and filling the center of the tube helix and cooperating with the latter and the casing to define a fuel confining helical passage within the casing of a length corresponding to the helix of the tube, said central member having perforations communicating with said helical passage and means for supplying said tubular central member with a supplementary fluid for discharge through the perforations of the latter into the helical stream passing through the casing.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a tubular casing for conveying atomized fuel, means in said casing defining a helical fuel passage for causing the fuel to flow in a helical course through said casing, and a tubular conduit extending into the axis of the casing and provided with one or more outlets in registration with the helical passage for discharging an auxiliary fluid into said helical stream for admixture therewith.

STANLEY E. PETERS. 

